en:didaktik:ueben

Be positive and remember that practice makes perfect: The children will improve. What seems tricky at first will become easier.

Tim Lewis1)

Practise isn't practise if you only play what you already know. Be adventurous: shine a light into the darker corners of your musicianship. For example, do a straight double strum for three whole minutes using a metronome, take a familiar song and play it in a new key, learn a new inversion of a familiar chord, transcribe a song from the radio, challenge yourself. Do this at the beginning of your practise session when your mind is fresh. Then reward yourself by playing some of your favourite songs, just for fun. Your practise sessions need not be long; 15–30 minutes of high-quality practise every day will make a world of difference. It might just be the easiest, fastest and most enjoyable way to become a better teacher.

James Hill2)

Ukulele playing is fun. And for me the ukulele also represents freedom. Freedom from classical and traditional ways of playing and learning. Freedom from forced practice. Freedom from playing music you don't like. Be free to play when you want, how you want, in whatever style you want.
A ukulele always near you means you can play twenty times a day for two minutes at a time if you wish. Have a uke in your office, your kitchen, your bedroom, on the coffee table. Take it with you in the car, on flights and bus rides. When the opportunity comes up, have a go at the new song you've been working on.

Ralph Shaw3)

Encourage the children to listen carefully to their own playing and to sing along. They should be asking themselves:
1. Am I changing chords at the right time in the tune?
2. Are my fingers in the right place for each chord?
3. Can I hear all the strings ringing out for each chord?
4. Am I keeping to the rhythm and playing in time with everyone else?

Tim Lewis4)


1)
Lewis, Tim: School Ukulele Orchestra: Teacher. Suffolk: Kevin Mayhew. 2008, 15
2)
UkuleleYes!, 1.12.2009
3)
The Ukulele Entertainer: Powerful Pointers for Players and Performers. BookBaby, 2011
4)
Lewis, Tim: School Ukulele Orchestra: Teacher. Suffolk: Kevin Mayhew. 2008, 28